An ancient and strategic Mediterranean port, Cesme is a charming place to visit, a great base for wintering your yacht in Turkey and a perfect home port to explore the Islands of the Aegean - with the idyllic islands of Chios, and Lesbos in easy reach.

Its position at the tip of the Izmir peninsula provides convenient access to the Aegean Sea, with its estimated 300 islands large and small, as well as to the wider cruising grounds of the Mediterranean.

Cesme Marina has been designed to be a unique holiday destination in its own right, the new development blending harmoniously with the traditional flavours and styles of this ancient and strategic Mediterranean port.

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Getting Here

By road: Situated at the western end of the Karaburun peninsula, Çesme Marina is less than an hour’s drive from Izmir via the new four-lane O-32 highway.

By air: Cesme Marina is just 45 minutes’ from Adnan Menderes International Airport.  The airport has direct connections to many European cities, with Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and Lufthansa all running scheduled flights to Turkey.

There is also a bus service that runs from Izmir to Cesme every 30 minutes from 0600 to 1800.

There are regular ferries that run between Chios and Çesme.  The island of Chios is eight miles west of Çesme by ferry. During peak season there are ferries from Chios to Çesme daily.  Ege Birlik also runs a return ferry service from Çesme to Chios.

During the low season ferries still operate but it is a reduced service. Ferryboats travelling 
between Izmir-Çesme-Kusadasi-Greece and Italy also pass through Çesme.

By sea: Cesme Marina (38°19'.24N 26°18'.08E) is straightforward, day or night. Please see the pilotage notes and contact the Capitainerie on Channel 72 on approach.

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Cruising

The cradle of western civilisation, the Aegean Sea cruising region has an area of 214,000 km².  With literally hundreds of islands to explore, from uninhabited rocky outcrops to major centres such as Rhodes and Kos, the Aegean Sea is where one might happily spend a lifetime of blissful cruising.

Nearby bays and harbours

Aya Yorgi Bay. With its lemon groves and blue seas, a popular daytime anchorage; by night join Turkey's party elite for live music at the famous Babylon bar, restaurant and club.

Alacati is the heart of Turkey's windsurfing and kitesurfing scene. The new resort village blends Ottoman style with modern chic and health & fitness amenities.

Dalyan is a traditional fishing village with welcoming fish restaurants and beach clubs; perfect for the laid-back days.

Chios (8NM) is a starkly beautiful island largely unspoilt by mass tourism despite having some of the best beaches in the Aegean and some of the most fascinating medieval villages in the whole of Greece. Chios is well known for the great variety and quality of its seasonal fruits.

Oinousses (8NM) is a small group of islands, known from ancient times for their famous wines, and renowned in modern times as the birthplace of prominent ship-owners, earning Oinousses the title of richest island in the world. Crystal clear waters characterise theses islands.

Lesvos (50NM) is the third biggest island in Greece, with a coastline of 370 km. The capital city Mytilini city spreads from the large harbour up into the hills behind it and is crowned by an enormous castle, surrounded by a pine forest that reaches down to the shore and the beach. In the summertime the castle is used for performances of travelling groups of musicians, theatre, opera and music and art festivals. Lesvos is also considered the homeland of ouzo, due to the numerous brands produced o the island.

Samos (50NM) lies in the heart of the Central Aegean. Its main port, Vathi, resembles an amphitheatre built around a large bay, and offers services and marine infrastructure catering for the needs of vessels of all sizes. The port of Pythagoreio is considered to be the oldest man-made port in the Mediterranean Sea, and today is one of the most tourist-developed areas of the island. Its blue flag beach was once the favourite bathing haunt of Anthony and Cleopatra.

Cesme is perfectly situated as a stopover port for the many yachts that make the annual journey from Istanbul in the north to Marmaris and the beaches of the south.

Here are some additional suggested cruising destinations in Turkey and Greece, with approximate distances from Cesme:

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Activities

Activities ashore include cycling and climbing, while those looking for pure relaxation or recuperation will enjoy the thermal baths at Ilica. Emerging from the ground at 60°C, the water’s mineral content has been used to help heal many ailments, from rheumatism to stress and insomnia.

Some of the best beaches and swimming waters are located in the Cesme region. There is a wealth of watersports activities: sailing, kite surfing, windsurfing and scuba diving.

Nearby Alacati is one of the most interesting surfing areas in Europe; located in a V-shaped cove with crystal clear water and is surrounded with lush vegetation, the changing winds and perfect conditions make it one of the best surfing areas in Europe.

A couple of miles north of the marina, Pirlanta Beach has become the kite surfing capital of Turkey, and its neighbouring bay played host to the 2008 Optimist dinghy world championships.

Cesme is an excellent place for those who like hunting. The most interesting and exciting hunt is wild boar, but here are also rabbits and partridge. You will need permission from the relevant authorities in order to hunt.

There is a golf club at Urla, 39 km away.

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Eating Out

There are numerous quality restaurants to choose from in the old town of Cesme, as well as in the marina village where the atmosphere is alive throughout the week. Cesme is also famous for its mastic-flavoured ice cream and mouth watering toasted sandwiches.

Cesme Marina is home to the following bars and restaurants:

South Bank

• Hayal Kahvesi
• Tuzu Biberi – seafood bistro, café and bar
• Cafe Rouge – café and bar

East Bank

• Mado – Turkish delights and ice-cream
• Burger King
• Kumrucu Sevki – Çesme’s famous kumru
• Milestone – bistro
• Köfteci Ramiz
• Verano

West Bank

• Köprü Bistro – French restaurant
• Mia Cafe
• Wineway – wine store
• Port Balık – fish restaurant
• Suare Marinada – worldwide cuisine
• Tuval
• Bonjour

Our marina team will happily talk to you about the offerings on site and direct you. 

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Shopping

Within the marina village at Cesme there is a retail complex with plenty for everyone:

• Designer clothing stores
• Yachting gear
• Accessories
• Sportswear
• Footwear
  ...and much more...

Whether it be shopping for supplies at Carrefour, new sailing kit from Slam or a new dress for the evening from GANT or Calvin Klein.  Cesme Marina offers everything for the perfect shopping day.

Here's a list of some of the retail outlets on the waterfront at Cesme Marina:

Clothing and retail

• Billabong
• Calvin Klein Jeans
• Home Store
• GANT
• Mendo’s – famous underwear collection
• Mudo Marine – marine collection
• Pilgrim – Danish fashion and jewellery
• Polo Garage - Turkey’s pioneer textile brand
• Slam – sailing and sportswear
• Stonerock – worldwide shoe brands
• Vakko Cruise – designs for your yacht
• Vakkorama H20 – swim and sportswear
• Taka Wear – Turkish textile designs
• Tuval Accessories
• Megalov – famous Turkish designers
• B&G Store – kids clothing
• K&S Jewellery – jewellery and accessories
• Nike Store
• Quiksilver
• Shakespeare in Love – swimwear
• Tabuu
• Hartford
• Sevil

Yacht rental & brokerage

• Begila Yachting / Galeon
• Sesna / Azimut
• Solo Deniz / Elan / Rodman
• Barog Marine / Hanse / Meridian Yachts / Bayliner / Sessa

Other outlets

• CIO Marina – opticians
• Lemon Sailing School
• Y Marin Art
• Wineway Art
• Zeytin Vs – homemade olive oil, soaps, ceramics and more
• D&R – music and bookstore
• Karma Tobacco
• Green Parrot – children’s entertainment centre
• Teknosa – technology store

Cesme town provides an alternative shopping experience - a compact and bustling collection of leather, carpet, clothing, jewellery and souvenir stores.  Although Turkey is not part of the Eurozone, the Euro is accepted in many shops, while the official currency is the Turkish Lira.

For the more serious shopper, the bustling city of Izmir is less than an hour away by road.

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Places of Interest

'Cesme' means 'fountain' in Turkish and the historic town was named for its abundance of fresh water. From as early as the 7th century BC, Cesme was a key port on the trade routes, valued for its water supplies and natural shelter. Sixteen fountains can still be found along the narrow streets.

Among Cesme's many historic buildings are:

• A 14th century Genoese fortress which now houses a weapons museum
• A 16th century Caravanserai, built by Suleyman the Magnificent to mark the end of the silk road - it is now a hotel with a lovely cool courtyard
• The church of Agios Haralambos, which has been restored as an art gallery

A few miles up the coast from Cesme, at Ildir are the ruins of the ancient city of Erythae, home of the oracle Sybil, with its acropolis, temple of Athena and amphitheatre dating from the 3rd century BC.

The UNESCO World heritage Site of Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos is 90km away.

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